Device Apparatus System and Method for Separating Components of a Multi-Component Food Item

ABSTRACT

Disclosed are a device, apparatus and a method for separating components of a multi-component food item, wherein two or more separators connected to each other by a connection strip, partition among three or more parts or components of a food item. One or more of the separators, or dividers, include at least one element to collect, block and/or absorb, food components related fluids, thus preventing their propagation and unwanted inter-component effects caused thereby.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention generally relates to the field of food andbeverages. More specifically, the present invention relates to a device,mechanism, apparatus, system and method for separating components of amulti-component food item.

BACKGROUND

Over the years, the takeout, takeaway and food delivery business andindustry have extensively grown. Traditional fast food giants,continuously seek means for improving their takeaway and deliveryservices, while full-service restaurants open spinoff, takeout-onlysites—as ordering and delivery services prosper with the help of theInternet and remote ordering systems.

Still, remains a need—generally in the food and beverage industry andspecifically in the fast growing food takeout, take-away, delivery andpackaging fields—for packaging solutions that can improve the qualityand the characteristics of ‘packaged’ and ‘travelling’ multi-componentfood items.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Disclosed, are a device, apparatus, system and method for separatingcomponents of multi-component food items. Components of a food item suchas, but not limited to, a hamburger, a hotdog and/or a sandwich, may beseparated such that certain components in the food item are not incontact with each other, thus preventing unwanted inter-componenteffects to some or all of the components, such as, but not limited to,their: cooling, heating, drying and/or wetting. Preventing unwantedinter-component effects, may improve the quality of the overall fooditem, for example, by reducing or eliminating sogginess and bymaintaining or increasing the temperature, crispness and/or freshness ofsome or all of its sub components.

In some of the following discussions, the invention device and method,and embodiments thereof, are described and exemplified in the context ofseparating the two parts of a hamburger bun from their hamburger,vegetables and/or sauces content. It will be understood, however, bythose skilled in the art, that the present invention may be utilized forcomponent separation of various food item types, such as, but notlimited to, the separation of: pastry, bread, bun, tortilla, crackerand/or pita type components of a sandwich or sandwich-like food item,from the interior components of the ‘sandwich’ and/or the separation ofthe different interior components from each other.

According to some embodiments of the present invention, a device forseparating components of a multi-component food item may include: (1) afirst separator and at least a second separator to partition among twoparts of a sandwich/hamburger bread/bun and their content (e.g. meat,cheese, vegetable, sauces); (2) a connection strip for connecting thefirst separator and the at least second separator at a distance thatallows their fitting into the sandwich/hamburger substantially next tothe inward facing sides of the two parts of the sandwich/hamburgerbread-slices/bun; and (3) a first and at least a second bending lines,to enable the insertion of the device into a sandwich/hamburger byfacilitating the bending of both the first separator and the at leastsecond separator to form a substantially perpendicular angle with theconnection strip.

According to some embodiments, the first separator and the at leastsecond separator of the device may be: Round, Oval, Square, Oblong,Triangular, and/or in any other shape complementing the shape of thesandwich/food-type for which it is intended. According to someembodiments, the device may be substantially flat prior to its bending,and may be constructed by cutting its desirable shape out of a flatsheet of material, made of one or more layers. According to someembodiments, the device may be made of paper, card board, plastic,aluminum, and/or any material or combination of materials that mayprevent unwanted inter-component effects to some or all of thecomponents of the sandwich/hamburger.

According to some embodiments, the device may include a thicker middlelayer covered with two thinner outer layers. The thicker middle layermay, for example, be made of a paper or cardboard layer and/or a foamedpolymer or natural substance—optionally including hollow chamberstherein; wherein the outer layers may, for example, be made of ametallic (e.g. tin foil, aluminum paper) or plastic/polyethylene (stickystretchable nylon) sheets, optionally having liquid/fluidresistance/proof and/or substantially high heat insolationcharacteristics.

According to some embodiments, the first separator and the at leastsecond separator of the device may include one or more fluid collecting,blocking and/or absorbing element(s) on one or both of theirsurfaces/sides/facets for collecting, blocking and/or absorbing fluidsfrom/of food item components. The fluid collecting, blocking and/orabsorbing element(s) may, for example, take the form of: a channel, aridge/bump, dents, a rim edge, an absorbing or flow-preventing materialand/or any combination thereof. According to some embodiments, a fluidcollecting, blocking and/or absorbing edge may be positioned on one ormore of the separators (e.g. the bottom one), and on one (e.g. the topfacing one) or both sides of the separator. According to someembodiments, substantially the entire separator(s) or outer surface(s)thereof may be fabricated from or coated with a fluid absorbingmaterial.

According to some embodiments, the connection strip of the device maycomprise, on its outward facing side, a grabbing latch or grabbing stripfor holding and withdrawing the device prior to the eating of thesandwich/hamburger. According to some embodiments, the grabbing latchmay include a finger hole for inserting a finger into/through thegrabbing latch as part of withdrawal of the device from a food item(e.g. a sandwich/hamburger). According to some embodiments, the grabbinglatch may be connected to the connection strip by a bending line,allowing it to be folded upwards/downwards and onto the connection stripto create a single plane with it and with the device separators (e.g.when separators are open).

According to some embodiments, the connection strip of the device,connecting between the first separator and the at least secondseparator, may comprise multiple zigzag bends allowing it to stretch inand/or out—respectively shortening and lengthening the distance betweenthe device separators—to accommodate various thicknesses ofsandwich/hamburger filling/interior components.

According to some embodiments, the device may include three, or more,separators, to allow for the separation of four food components or more.For example, components of a four (main) component hamburger by a threeseparators device, may include: a first separator separating between thebottom half of the hamburger bun and the meat patty; a second separatorseparating between the meat patty and a salad/vegetables component ofthe burger; and a third separator separating between thesalad/vegetables and the top half of the hamburger bun.

According to some embodiments, a device for separating components of amulti-component food item may be connected or integrated into ahamburger packaging box. According to some embodiments, the connectionstrip of the device may be connected to a food item packaging box (e.g.a hamburger box). The connection strip may, for example, be connected tothe inner side of a of a paper food item package, such that when thepackage is opened the separators of the device are substantiallyhorizontally oriented within the package, while being connected to oneor more of the package's side walls by the connection strip. Accordingto some embodiments, as part of a package-integrated device embodiment,the separators may be connected directly to one or more of the package'sside walls, wherein the connection may include bending lines allowingfor the separators to tilt up or down around their connection line axis.

According to some embodiments, a device for separating components of amulti-component food item may be adapted to accommodate, and to separateamong components of, various food types and items of different shapesand forms. A device for separating components of a multi-component fooditem may be accordingly fabricated to accommodate: a pizza—large andround, a sandwich—square or oval, a hotdog—elongated, or othermulti-component food items.

According to some embodiments, a process for separating among componentsof a multi-component food item may include: (1) positioning a set of oneor more bottom components of a multi-component food item; (2) placing afirst separator of the device on top of the bottom components; (3)positioning a set of one or more interior components of themulti-component food item, on top of the first separator of the device;(4) bending the device at the folding line between the first separatorand the connection strip upward; (5) bending the device at the foldingline between the second separator and the connection strip to the sideof the first separator, thus positioning the second separator on top ofthe interior components of the multi-component food item; and/or (6)positioning a set of one or more top components of the multi-componentfood item, on top of the second separator of the device.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The subject matter regarded as the invention is particularly pointed outand distinctly claimed in the concluding portion of the specification.The invention, however, both as to organization and method of operation,together with objects, features, and advantages thereof, may best beunderstood by reference to the following detailed description when readwith the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view diagram of an exemplary device forseparating components of a multi-component food item, in accordance withsome embodiments of the present invention, wherein the device is showninside a hamburger sandwich;

FIGS. 2A-2E are diagrams of an exemplary device for separatingcomponents of a multi-component food item, in accordance with someembodiments of the present invention, wherein the device is shown:closed in a perspective view (2A), open in a front view (2B), open in aside cross section view (2C), closed in a side cross-section view (2D)and closed in a front view (2E);

FIGS. 3A-3E are diagrams of exemplary separators of an exemplary devicefor separating components of a multi-component food item, in accordancewith some embodiments of the present invention, wherein shown separatorviews include: a perspective view of a separator with a fluidcollection/drainage channel (3A), a perspective view of a separator witha fluid stopping/flow-preventing edge (3B), a perspective view of aseparator with a fluid stopping/flow-preventing ridge/rim (3C), aperspective view of a separator with a fluid/vapor absorption strip/area(3D) and a perspective view of a separator with a combination of a fluidcollection/drainage channels and a fluid stopping/flow-preventingridge/rim (3E);

FIG. 4 is a perspective view diagram of an exemplary device forseparating components of a multi-component food item, in accordance withsome embodiments of the present invention, wherein the device includes agrabbing-latch/grabbing-strip/withdrawal-label and is shown inside ahamburger sandwich;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view diagram of an exemplary device forseparating components of a multi-component food item, in accordance withsome embodiments of the present invention, wherein the separators areconnected to each other by a zig-zag shaped connection strip and thedevice is shown inside a hamburger sandwich;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view diagram of an exemplary device forseparating components of a multi-component food item, in accordance withsome embodiments of the present invention, wherein the device includesthree separators and is shown inside a hamburger sandwich;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view diagram of an exemplary device forseparating components of a multi-component food item, in accordance withsome embodiments of the present invention, wherein the device isintegrated into a hamburger packaging box;

FIGS. 8A-8C are diagrams of exemplary devices for separating componentsof a multi-component food item, in accordance with some embodiments ofthe present invention, wherein shown devices include: a perspective viewof a device hosting a pizza tray (8A), a perspective view of a devicehosting a pizza slice (8B), a perspective view of a device inside asliced meat/cheese sandwich (8C) and a perspective view of a deviceinside a hotdog and bun sandwich (8D); and

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing the main steps executed as part of aprocess for separating components of a multi-component food item, byutilization of an exemplary embodiment of the invention's device, inaccordance with some embodiments of the present invention.

It will be appreciated that for simplicity and clarity of illustration,elements shown in the figures have not necessarily been drawn to scale.For example, the dimensions of some of the elements may be exaggeratedrelative to other elements for clarity.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the following detailed description, numerous specific details are setforth in order to provide a thorough understanding of some embodiments.However, it will be understood by persons of ordinary skill in the artthat some embodiments may be practiced without these specific details.In other instances, well-known methods, procedures, components, unitsand/or circuits have not been described in detail so as not to obscurethe discussion.

Embodiments of the present invention may include apparatuses forperforming the operations herein. This apparatus may be speciallyconstructed for the desired purposes, or it may comprise a generalpurpose apparatus selectively applicable or configurable for the desiredpurposes.

The processes and displays presented herein are not inherently relatedto any particular system, device, apparatus, element, component, orassembly. Various general purpose embodiments may be used with inaccordance with the teachings herein, or it may prove convenient toconstruct a more specialized embodiment to perform the desired method.The desired structure for a variety of these embodiments will appearfrom the description below. In addition, embodiments of the presentinvention are not described with reference to any particular packageditems or objects. It will be appreciated that a variety of items orobjects may be packaged by implementing the teachings of the inventionas described herein.

Throughout the specification, the terms “separating”, “parting”,“partitioning”, “preventing contact”, “absorbing”, “preventingfluid/moisture passage” or the like, may refer to the function of anyform of a separating partitions, or barriers, includingmechanism—adapted to prevent contact among one or more components oringredients of a food item, in order to at least partially limitunwanted inter-component effects to some or all of the components. Theterm ‘Component(s)’ or ‘Food Component(s)’ herein, may refer to anyspecific food ingredient, or to a combination of two or more foodingredients. The combination of two or more food ingredients may includeany form of: aggregating, integrating, joining, connecting, linking,mixing and/or or putting the multiple ingredients together—optionally,by utilizing one or more cooking techniques such as, but not limited to:boiling, frying, baking, grilling, roasting and/or steaming.

Furthermore, throughout the specification, the term “folding line(s)”may refer to any form of a paper/cardboard fold mark(s) or cutmark(s)—and may include, but is not limited to, any combination of thefollowing: a drawn mark (e.g. line, broken/dotted line, broken/dottedline with a scissors icon on it), a pressed mark (e.g. pressed line,pressed broken/dotted line) and/or a cut mark (e.g. broken/dotted lineincluding an alternate repeating pattern of cut and not-cut segments).Any “folding line(s)” described herein and/or shown in the accompanyingfigures may, or may not, be pre-folded in a specific direction and/ormanner, facilitating the later shaping/folding to specificorientation(s), as defined by the needed functionality.

Functions, operations, components and/or features described herein withreference to one or more embodiments, may be combined with, or may beutilized in combination with, any one or more other functions,operations, components and/or features described herein with referenceto one or more other embodiments.

The present invention includes a device, apparatus, system and methodfor separating components of a multi-component food item. Components ofa food item such as, but not limited to, a hamburger, a hotdog and/or asandwich, may be separated such that certain components in the food itemare not in contact with each other, thus preventing unwantedinter-component effects to some or all of the components, such as, butnot limited to, their cooling, heating, drying and/or wetting. In someof the following discussions, the invention device and method, andembodiments thereof, are described and exemplified in the context ofseparating the two parts of a hamburger bun from their hamburger,vegetables and/or sauces content. It will be understood, however, bythose skilled in the art, that the present invention may be utilized forcomponent separation of various food item types, such as, but notlimited to, the separation of pastry, bread, bun, tortilla, cracker orpita type components of a sandwich or sandwich-like food item, from theinterior components of the ‘sandwich’ and/or the separation of thedifferent interior components from each other.

According to some embodiments of the present invention, a device forseparating components of a multi-component food item may include: (1) afirst separator and at least a second separator to partition among twoparts of a sandwich/hamburger bun and their content (e.g. meat, cheese,vegetable, sauces); (2) a connection strip for connecting the firstseparator and the at least second separator at a distance that allowstheir fitting into the sandwich/hamburger substantially next to theinward facing sides of the two parts of the sandwich/hamburgerbread-slices/bun; and (3) a first and at least a second bending lines,to enable the insertion of the device into a sandwich/hamburger byfacilitating the bending of both the first separator and the at leastsecond separator to form a substantially perpendicular angle with theconnection strip.

In FIG. 1 there is shown a perspective view diagram of an exemplarydevice for separating components of a multi-component food item, inaccordance with some embodiments of the present invention, wherein thedevice is shown inside a hamburger sandwich.

In the figure, a hamburger sandwich, including: a Top Bun Half, a BottomBun Half and a Burger. The device for separating components of amulti-component food item is shown inside the hamburger sandwich,wherein: the top separator—forming a substantially right angle with theconnection strip of the device at the shown (upper) foldingline—separates between the top bun half and the top of the burger; and,the bottom separator—forming a substantially right angle with theconnection strip of the device at the shown (lower) foldingline—separates between the bottom bun half, and the bottom of theburger. The upper surface/side/facet of the bottom separator is shown toinclude a fluid collection/drainage channel, for collecting fluids (e.g.oils, sauces, condensed vapor/steam) extracted from/by its supportedburger.

According to some embodiments, the first separator and the at leastsecond separator of the device may be round, oval, square, oblong,triangular, and/or in any other shape complementing the shape of thesandwich/food-type for which it is intended. According to someembodiments, the device may be substantially flat prior to its bending,and may be constructed by cutting its desirable shape out of a flatsheet of material, made of one or more layers. According to someembodiments, the device may be made of paper, card board, plastic,aluminum, and/or any material or combination of materials that mayprevent unwanted inter-component effects to some or all of thecomponents of the sandwich/hamburger.

According to some embodiments, the device may include a thicker middlelayer covered with two thinner outer layers. The thicker middle layermay, for example, be made of a paper or cardboard layer and/or a foamedpolymer or natural substance—optionally including hollow chamberstherein; wherein the outer layers may, for example, be made of ametallic (e.g. tin foil, aluminum paper) or plastic/polyethylene (stickystretchable nylon) sheets, optionally having liquid/fluidresistance/proof and/or substantially high heat insolationcharacteristics.

In FIGS. 2A-2E there are shown diagrams of an exemplary device forseparating components of a multi-component food item, in accordance withsome embodiments of the present invention, wherein the device is shown:closed in a perspective view (2A), open in a front view (2B), open in aside cross section view (2C), closed in a side cross section view (2D)and closed in a front view (2E).

The shown device of FIGS. 2A-2E includes a first fluidcollection/drainage channel on its top separator and a second fluidcollection/drainage channel on its bottom separator. The device is shownclosed in a perspective view (2A), wherein the separators are bent attheir respective folding lines, to each from a right, or anapproximately right, angle—with the connection strip of the device.

In FIG. 2B there is shown a front view of the open device. The bottomseparator shown, includes a fluid collection/drainage channel on itsupper surface/facet and the top separator shown also includes a fluidcollection/drainage channel on its upper, hidden, surface/facet—shownwith a broken/dotted line. Further shown is the connection strip and thefolding lines, connecting it to each of the separators.

In FIG. 2C there is shown a side cross section view of the open device.The device is shown to be substantially flat at its open position and toinclude a middle layer and two outer layers on its sides. The top andbottom separators shown, both include a fluid collection/drainagechannel on opposite sides, wherein the opposite side channels will bothface upwards upon folding the separators, in the direction of the curvedarrows, to form a right, or approximately right, angle with theconnection strip, as shown in the following, FIG. 2D.

In FIG. 2D there is shown a side cross section view of the closeddevice. The fluid collection/drainage channels, of both the topseparator and the bottom separator of the device, are shown to faceupwards, due to the folding of the separators to form a right, orapproximately right, angle with the connection strip.

In FIG. 2E there is shown a front view of the closed device. The fluidcollection/drainage channels, of both the top separator and the bottomseparator of the device, are shown—in broken/dotted lines—to faceupwards, due to the folding of the separators to form a right, orapproximately right, angle with the connection strip.

According to some embodiments, the first separator and the at leastsecond separator of the device may include one or more fluid collecting,blocking and/or absorbing element(s) on one or both of theirsurfaces/sides/facets for collecting, blocking and/or absorbing fluidsfrom/of food item components. The fluid collecting, blocking and/orabsorbing element(s) may, for example, take the form of: a channel, aridge/bump, dents, a rim edge, an absorbing or flow-preventing materialand/or any combination thereof. According to some embodiments, a fluidcollecting, blocking and/or absorbing edge may be positioned on one ormore of the separators (e.g. the bottom one), and on one (e.g. the topfacing one) or both sides of the separator. According to someembodiments, substantially the entire separator(s) or outer surface(s)thereof may be fabricated from or coated with a fluid absorbingmaterial.

In FIGS. 3A-3E there are shown diagrams of exemplary separators of anexemplary device for separating components of a multi-component fooditem, in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention,wherein shown separator views include: a perspective view of a separatorwith a fluid collection/drainage channel (3A), a perspective view of aseparator with a fluid stopping/flow-preventing edge (3B), a perspectiveview of a separator with a fluid stopping/flow-preventing ridge/rim(3C), a perspective view of a separator with a fluid/vapor absorptionstrip/area (3D) and a perspective view of a separator with a combinationof a fluid collection/drainage channels and a fluidstopping/flow-preventing ridge/rim (3E).

In FIG. 3A there is shown a perspective view of a separator with a fluidcollection/drainage channel. The channel, located on the uppersurface/side/facet of the separator, is shown to circle the center ofthe separator at a diameter which is smaller than the diameter of theseparator.

One or more fluid collection/drainage channel(s), in accordance withsome embodiments, may accordingly run at differentdiameters/girths/circumferences, wherein at least one, of the one ormore channels, may run at a diameter/girth/circumference which issmaller than, but substantially close to, the diameter of the separator.

In FIG. 3B there is shown a perspective view of a separator with a fluidstopping/flow-preventing edge. The edge, located on the uppersurface/side/facet of the separator, is shown to circle the separatorat/around its outer diameter, forming an obstacle that prevents fluidsfrom leaking over the sides of the separator and down towards food itemcomponent(s) located under the separator.

In FIG. 3C there is shown a perspective view of a separator with a fluidstopping/flow-preventing ridge/rim. The ridge, located on the uppersurface/side/facet of the separator, is shown to circle the center ofthe separator at a diameter which is smaller than the diameter of theseparator.

One or more fluid stopping/flow-preventing ridge(s)/rim(s), inaccordance with some embodiments, may accordingly run at differentdiameters/girths/circumferences, wherein at least one, of the one ormore ridges, may run at a diameter/girth/circumference which is smallerthan, but substantially close to, the diameter of the separator.

In FIG. 3D there is shown a perspective view of a separator with afluid/vapor absorption strip/area. The strip, located on the uppersurface/side/facet of the separator, is shown to circle the center ofthe separator at a diameter range having an upper value which is similarto the diameter of the separator.

One or more fluid/vapor absorption strip(s)/area(s), in accordance withsome embodiments, may accordingly run at differentdiameter/girth/circumference ranges, wherein at least one, of the one ormore strip(s), may run at a diameter range having an upper value whichis either equal to; or smaller than, but substantially close to, thediameter of the separator.

According to some embodiments, specific area(s) (e.g. edges of up facingfacets), whole area(s) (e.g. all up facing facets), or the entire area(e.g. all up and down facing facets), of the top separator and/or thebottom separator may accordingly be covered by a fluid/vapor absorbingmaterial/layer.

In FIG. 3E there is shown a perspective view of a separator with acombination of two fluid collection/drainage channels—at a firstdiameter; and a fluid stopping/flow-preventing ridge/rim—at a second,greater diameter.

According to some embodiments, any combination of: fluidcollection/drainage channel(s), fluid stopping/flow-preventing edge(s),fluid stopping/flow-preventing ridge(s)/rim(s) and/or fluid/vaporabsorption strip(s)/area(s)—may be implemented on the top facing and/orthe bottom facing facets of one or more separators of a device forseparating components of a multi-component food item.

According to some embodiments, the connection strip of the device maycomprise, on its outward facing side, a grabbing latch or grabbing stripfor holding and withdrawing the device prior to the eating of thesandwich/hamburger. According to some embodiments, the grabbing latchmay include a finger hole for inserting a finger into/through thegrabbing latch as part of withdrawal of the device from a food item(e.g. a sandwich/hamburger). According to some embodiments, the grabbinglatch may be connected to the connection strip by a bending line,allowing it to be folded upwards/downwards and onto the connection stripto create a single plane with it and with the device separators (e.g.when separators are open).

In FIG. 4 there is shown a perspective view diagram of an exemplarydevice for separating components of a multi-component food item, inaccordance with some embodiments of the present invention, wherein thedevice includes a grabbing-latch/withdrawal-label and is shown inside ahamburger sandwich.

The shown grabbing-latch/withdrawal-label is connected to the connectionstrip by a bending line, allowing it to be folded upwards/downwards—inthe direction of the curved arrows—and onto the connection strip. Theshown grabbing-latch/withdrawal-label also includes a finger hole,allowing a user to insert a finger into/through the grabbing latch andpull it in the direction of the straight arrow—as part of withdrawal ofthe device from the shown sandwich/hamburger.

According to some embodiments, the connection strip of the device,connecting between the first separator and the at least secondseparator, may comprise multiple zigzag bends allowing it to stretch inand/or out—respectively shortening and lengthening the distance betweenthe device separators—to accommodate various thicknesses ofsandwich/hamburger filling/interior components.

In FIG. 5 there is shown a perspective view diagram of an exemplarydevice for separating components of a multi-component food item, inaccordance with some embodiments of the present invention, wherein theseparators are connected to each other by a zigzag pattern shapedconnection strip and the device is shown inside a hamburger sandwich.

In the figure, the zigzagged connection strip is shown to connectbetween the top and bottom separators. The zigzagged connection strip isshown to include folding lines between (i.e. at the connecting lines of)each of its sections/straight-segments. The folding lines may facilitatethe opening (i.e. stretching out) and closing (i.e. squeezing in) of theconnection strip, respectively lengthening and shortening the distancebetween the device separators.

According to some embodiments, the folding lines of the zigzaggedconnection strip may be pre-folded in alternate directions—wherein eachfolding line is pre-folded in an opposite direction—such that theconnection strip is biased to assume/return-to a zigzagged shape.

According to some embodiments, the device may include three, or more,separators, to allow for the separation of four food components or more.For example, components of a four (main) component hamburger by a threeseparators device, may include: a first separator separating between thebottom half of the hamburger bun and the meat patty; a second separatorseparating between the meat patty and a salad/vegetables component ofthe burger; and a third separator separating between thesalad/vegetables and the top half of the hamburger bun.

In FIG. 6 there is shown a perspective view diagram of an exemplarydevice for separating components of a multi-component food item, inaccordance with some embodiments of the present invention, wherein thedevice includes three separators and is shown inside a hamburgersandwich.

The device is shown to include: a bottom separator separating betweenthe bottom half of the hamburger bun and the meat patty; a middleseparator separating between the meat patty and a salad/vegetablescomponent of the burger; and a top separator separating between thesalad/vegetables and the top half of the hamburger bun. Each of theshown bottom, middle and top separators are connected to the connectionstrip by a bending line.

According to some embodiments, a device for separating components of amulti-component food item may be connected or integrated into ahamburger packaging box. According to some embodiments, the connectionstrip of the device may be connected to a food item packaging box (e.g.a hamburger box). The connection strip may, for example, be connected tothe inner side of a of a paper food item package, such that when thepackage is opened the separators of the device are substantiallyhorizontally oriented within the package, while being connected to oneor more of the package's side walls by the connection strip. Accordingto some embodiments, as part of a package-integrated device embodiment,the separators may be connected directly to one or more of the package'sside walls, wherein the connection may include bending lines allowingfor the separators to tilt up or down around their connection line axis.

In FIG. 7 there is shown a perspective view diagram of an exemplarydevice for separating components of a multi-component food item, inaccordance with some embodiments of the present invention, wherein thedevice is integrated into a hamburger packaging box.

In the figure there is shown a device for separating components of amulti-component food item, connected to the inner side of a hamburgerpackaging box. The connection strip of the shown device is attached—forexample: glued, pasted, fastened, secured, affixed, clipped, stapled, orotherwise connected—to the inner side of the wall of the hamburgerpackaging box, on the side of the box constituting the opening/closingaxis of the box. The connection strip is shown to include three bendinglines—one at the connection point of each of the separators, allowingthem to independently bend up and down; and one, substantially at themiddle of the connection strip, overlapping the opening/closing axis ofthe box and enabling the connection strip to fold along the wall of thepackaging box as it is opened and/or closed.

According to some embodiments, a device for separating components of amulti-component food item may be adapted to accommodate, and to separateamong components of, various food types and items of different shapesand forms. A device for separating components of a multi-component fooditem may be accordingly fabricated to accommodate: a pizza—large andround, a sandwich—square or oval, a hotdog—elongated, or othermulti-component food items.

In FIGS. 8A-8C there are shown diagrams of exemplary devices forseparating components of a multi-component food item, in accordance withsome embodiments of the present invention, wherein shown devicesinclude: a perspective view of a device hosting a pizza tray (8A), aperspective view of a device hosting a pizza slice (8B), a perspectiveview of a device inside a sliced meat/cheese sandwich (8C) and aperspective view of a device inside a hotdog and bun sandwich (8D).

In FIG. 8A, the device is shown to have substantially large separators,to accommodate a pizza tray, connected to each other by a relativelywide and short (e.g. in comparison to the hamburger associatedembodiments described herein) connection strip. The top separator of theshown device, includes foldable structures on its bottom facing surface,for preventing the bottom surface of the top separator from coming incontact with the top facing side of the pizza.

Foldable structure(s), in accordance with some embodiments, may have: asquare, rectangular, trapezoid, triangular, or other shape; and may eachbe connected to the bottom surface of the top separator by a foldingline, allowing for its folding onto the plane of the top separator andits opening to a substantially perpendicular angle with it. The foldablestructures, in accordance with some embodiments, may be arranged on thebottom surface of the top separator: as shown in FIG. 8A, along itssedges, substantially at its center and/or at any combination of thesepositions/arrangements.

In FIG. 8B, the device is shown to have triangular (slice) shapedseparators, to accommodate a pizza slice, connected to each other by aconnection strip. The shown connection strip connects to the top andbottom separators.

In FIG. 8C, the device is shown to have quadrilateral (substantiallysquare/rectangular) separators, to accommodate a sandwich, connected toeach other by a connection strip. The shown connection strip connects tothe top and bottom separators, substantially at the middle of one oftheir four sides, by a folding line.

In FIG. 8D, the device is shown to have elongated separators, toaccommodate a hotdog or a sausage sandwich, connected to each other by aconnection strip. The shown connection strip connects to the top andbottom separators, substantially at the middle of one of their twolonger sides, by a folding line.

According to some embodiments, a process for separating components of amulti-component food item may include: (1) positioning a set of one ormore bottom components of a multi-component food item; (2) placing afirst separator of the device on top of the bottom components; (3)positioning a set of one or more interior components of themulti-component food item, on top of the first separator of the device;(4) bending the device at the folding line between the first separatorand the connection strip upward; (5) bending the device at the foldingline between the second separator and the connection strip to the sideof the first separator, thus positioning the second separator on top ofthe interior components of the multi-component food item; and/or (6)positioning a set of one or more top components of the multi-componentfood item, on top of the second separator of the device.

According to some embodiments, step (4), or both step (4) and step(5)—of the above process for separating components of a multi-componentfood item—may be performed prior to the execution of step (3).

In FIG. 9 there is shown a flowchart of the main steps executed as partof a process for separating components of a multi-component food item,by utilization of an exemplary embodiment of the invention's device, inaccordance with some embodiments of the present invention.

Shown steps include: (1) positioning a set of one or more bottomcomponents of a multi-component food item; (2) placing a first (bottom)separator of the device on top of the bottom components; (3) positioninga set of one or more interior components of the multi-component fooditem, on top of the first (bottom) separator of the device; (4) bendingthe device at the folding line between the first separator and theconnection strip upward; (5) bending the device at the folding linebetween the second (top) separator and the connection strip to the sideof the first separator, thus positioning the second separator on top ofthe interior components of the multi-component food item; and (6)positioning a set of one or more top components of the multi-componentfood item, on top of the second separator of the device.

According to some embodiments of the present invention, a device forseparating components of a multi-component food item, may comprise: afirst separator and at least a second separator to partition among threeor more parts of the multi-component food item; a connection strip forconnecting between the first separator and the at least second separatorat a distance allowing for their fitting into the food item, at, or inproximity of, the inward facing facets of two or more outer componentsof the food item; and, a first and at least a second folding lines, atthe connection area of each of the separators to the connection strip,to enable the insertion of the device into the multi-component food itemby facilitating the bending of the first separator and the at leastsecond separator to form a substantially perpendicular angle with theconnection strip.

According to some embodiments, the first separator, or the at leastsecond separator, or both, may each include one or more fluidcollecting, blocking and/or absorbing element(s). The fluid collecting,blocking and/or absorbing element(s) may be selected from the groupconsisting of: a fluid collection/drainage channel, a fluidstopping/flow-preventing edge, a fluid stopping/flow-preventingridge/rim, a fluid/vapor absorption strip/area and/or others. The fluidcollecting, blocking and/or absorbing element(s) may be located, atleast on the up facing surface; of the bottom most separator, fromwithin the first separator and the at least second separator.

According to some embodiments, the inward facing surfaces of at leastthe first separator may be covered by a layer of a material havingsubstantially high heat insolation characteristics.

According to some embodiments, the device may comprise a grabbing latch,connected to the outer side of the connection strip, for holding andwithdrawing the device from within the multi-component food item, priorto eating. The device may include a folding line at the connection areaof the grabbing latch, to facilitate the bending of the grabbing latchupwards or downwards and onto the connection strip to create a singleplane with it and with the device separators when the separators areopen.

According to some embodiments, the connection strip may comprisemultiple zigzagged bends, connected by folding lines to on another,allowing for the connection strip to stretch in or out—respectivelyshortening and lengthening the distance between the device separators—toaccommodate various thicknesses of inner component(s) of themulti-component food item.

According to some embodiments, the first separator may be connected tothe connection strip at one of its edges; and, the at least secondseparator may include one separator connected to the opposite edge ofthe connection strip and one separator connected to the middle sectionof the connection strip.

According to some embodiments, the device may comprise a food packagingbox having an opening side and an axis side, wherein the food packagingbox is connected, by the inward facing surface of its axis side, to theouter—facing away from the food-item—side of the connection strip.

According to some embodiments, the connection strip may be of arectangular shape, wherein the two opposite longer sides of therectangular connection strip connect to the first separator and the atleast a second separator.

According to some embodiments, the bottom facing surface, of the topmost separator of the separators, may comprise foldable structures forpreventing the bottom facing surface of the top most separator fromcoming in contact with the top facing side of the food item; wherein thefoldable structures may be connected to the bottom facing surface of thetop most separator by folding lines.

According to some embodiments, the shape of the first separator and theat least a second separator, may be selected from the group consistingof: a circle, a square, a rectangle, an ellipse, an oval shape, anelongated shape with round edges and/or of any other shape complementinga multi-component food item.

According to some embodiments, the outer components of themulti-component food item may be bread slices, the top and bottom halvesof a bun and/or any other parts/sides of a pastry/baked component.

According to some embodiments of the present invention, a method forseparating food components, by utilizing a device for separating foodcomponents of a multi-component food item, may include: positioning aset of one or more bottom components of the multi-component food item;placing a first (bottom) separator of the device on top of the bottomcomponents; positioning a set of one or more interior components of themulti-component food item, on top of the first (bottom) separator of thedevice; bending the device at the folding line between the firstseparator and the connection strip upward; bending the device at thefolding line between the second (top) separator and the connection stripto the side of the first separator, thus positioning the secondseparator on top of the interior components of the multi-component fooditem; and positioning a set of one or more top components of themulti-component food item, on top of the second separator of the device.

The subject matter described above is provided by way of illustrationonly and should not be constructed as limiting. While certain featuresof the invention have been illustrated and described herein, manymodifications, substitutions, changes, and equivalents will now occur tothose skilled in the art. It is, therefore, to be understood that theappended claims are intended to cover all such modifications and changesas fall within the true spirit of the invention.

1. A device for separating components of a multi-component food item,said device comprising: a first separator and at least a secondseparator to partition among three or more parts of the multi-componentfood item; a connection strip for connecting between said firstseparator and said at least second separator at a distance allowing fortheir fitting into the food item, at, or in proximity of, the inwardfacing facets of two or more outer components of the food item; and afirst and at least a second folding lines, at the connection area ofeach of said separators to said connection strip, to enable theinsertion of said device into the multi-component food item byfacilitating the bending of said first separator and said at leastsecond separator to form a substantially perpendicular angle with saidconnection strip.
 2. The device of claim 1, wherein said firstseparator, or said at least second separator, or both, each include oneor more fluid collecting, blocking or absorbing element(s).
 3. Thedevice of claim 2, wherein said fluid collecting, blocking or absorbingelement(s) are selected from the group consisting of: a fluidcollection/drainage channel, a fluid stopping/flow-preventing edge, afluid stopping/flow-preventing ridge/rim and a fluid/vapor absorptionstrip/area.
 4. The device of claim 3, wherein said fluid collecting,blocking or absorbing element(s) are located on the up facing surface;of the bottom most separator, from said first separator and said atleast second separator.
 5. The device of claim 2, wherein the inwardfacing surfaces of at least said first separator are covered by a layerof a material having substantially high heat insolation characteristics.6. The device of claim 2, further comprising a grabbing latch, connectedto the outer side of said connection strip, for holding and withdrawingsaid device from within the multi-component food item, prior to eating.7. The device of claim 6, further comprising a folding line at theconnection area of said grabbing latch, to facilitate the bending ofsaid grabbing latch upwards or downwards and onto said connection stripto create a single plane with it and with said device separators whenseparators are open.
 8. The device of claim 2, wherein said connectionstrip comprises multiple zigzagged bends, connected by folding lines toon another, allowing for said connection strip to stretch in orout—respectively shortening and lengthening the distance between saiddevice separators—to accommodate various thicknesses of innercomponent(s) of the multi-component food item.
 9. The device of claim 2,wherein said first separator is connected to said connection strip atone of its edges; and, wherein said at least second separator includesone separator connected to the opposite edge of said connection stripand one separator connected to the middle section of said connectionstrip.
 10. The device of claim 2, further comprising a food packagingbox having an opening side and an axis side, wherein said food packagingbox is connected, by the inward facing surface of its axis side, to theouter—facing away from the food-item—side of said connection strip. 11.The device of claim 2, wherein said connection strip is of a rectangularshape and, wherein the two opposite longer sides of said rectangularconnection strip connect to said first separator and said at least asecond separator.
 12. The device of claim 11, wherein the bottom facingsurface, of the top most separator of said separators, comprisesfoldable structures for preventing said bottom facing surface of saidtop most separator from coming in contact with the top facing side ofthe food item; and wherein said foldable structures are connected tosaid bottom facing surface of said top most separator by folding lines.13. The device of claim 2, wherein the shape of said first separator andsaid at least a second separator, is selected from the group consistingof: a circle, a square, a rectangle, an ellipse, an oval shape and anelongated shape with round edges.
 14. The device of claim 1, wherein theouter components of the multi-component food item are bread slices orthe top and bottom halves of a bun.
 15. A method for separating foodcomponents, by utilizing a device for separating food components of amulti-component food item, said method including: positioning a set ofone or more bottom components of the multi-component food item; placinga first (bottom) separator of the device on top of the bottomcomponents; positioning a set of one or more interior components of themulti-component food item, on top of the first (bottom) separator of thedevice; bending the device at the folding line between the firstseparator and the connection strip upward; bending the device at thefolding line between the second (top) separator and the connection stripto the side of the first separator, thus positioning the secondseparator on top of the interior components of the multi-component fooditem; and positioning a set of one or more top components of themulti-component food item, on top of the second separator of the device.